No team in the NBA touts a more resounding win-now approach than the Philadelphia 76ers. Perennially in the title hunt since the late 2010s, the championship has become rather elusive for the franchise, failing to snap a more than four decades-long title drought despite a revolving door of uber talented rosters year after year.
As a result, the 76ers have invested everything they have on their current core. Already led by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, Philly did not hesitate to add a third star in Paul George to the tune of a max contract despite the clear red flags, banking on him to be the push they needed to get over the hump. They also managed to draft Jared McCain, who was clearly the league’s top rookie before his season-ending injury.
No matter what happens this season, the 76ers should be in the hunt for the Larry O’Brien trophy in the immediate future so long as health permits. However, a looming league development could threaten to cut short their title window if it materializes.
Reforming the playoff format could prove to be detrimental to the 76ers
Over the years, the scale of power has tiled in favor of the Western Conference, and this year is no different. Hence, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, many teams are once again pushing for the abolition of the current setup of the playoffs in favor of an outright 1-16 seeding regardless of conferences.
The East touting much fewer teams who currently have records of at least .500 is only a testament to the shallow depth of quality ball clubs the conference has compared to the West. And that can only mean a smaller margin of error for teams like the 76ers to snag a solid playoff positioning if it is ever ratified and given effect.
Alas, the West also has some of the biggest names in the NBA, both present and future. Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and the constants in the league since the 2010s reside therein, and while the East boasts special talents in its own right, its pool of superstars is not as ample as the former.
IN all honesty, this push is still way too raw and abstract to really mull over, but if the East continues to banner less competitive teams, the West’s endless dominance could really push the NBA to make the monumental switch to a freewheeling playoffs setup.
And in that case, the Philadelphia 76ers would be wise to win a championship before that happens.